Author Lynette Sofras stopped by to talk about her book, The Nightclub, and to answer the question... What’s
In a Name?
You would think that a writer would have a
good enough imagination not to be phased when it comes to finding a title for
her magnum opus. Sadly, not in my
case. When it comes to ideas for
stories, it’s standing room only inside my brain, but finding titles for those
stories is an entirely different…well, story.
A title needs to stand out, to grab the
attention of potential agents, publishers and readers. It needs to inform, intrigue and entice and
most of all, it needs to be relevant. It
shouldn’t be boring, mustn’t sound pretentious and shouldn’t be instantly
forgettable. So, we’re not asking much of it, are we? Is it any wonder that I develop something
akin to stage fright when I have to come with a title?
I indulged in a little moan about this on
Twitter. No one seemed to be able to
offer me the magic solution, sadly. One tweep
said he had the reverse problem, plenty of titles, no story ideas. After reflection that did make me feel
slightly better, though it didn’t solve my problem.
I mean, take my first novel: ‘The Apple
Tree’. I still cringe at just how
unimaginative that title sounds. One
sensitive soul asked me what the relevance of the title was and appeared
underwhelmed to hear that the heroine had an old apple tree in her garden that
she felt represented her childhood triumphs and achievements. In fact the tree is only a minor presence in
the story, a silent witness to the dramatic traumas the heroine undergoes as an
adult.
And that was only the first one. Eight stories later and I still struggle to
find the perfect title for each one. My
favourite creation is 'Killing Jenna Crane', which from the title, people
automatically assume is a murder-mystery.
Not so; it's far more of a psychological or romantic thriller. My second favourite is 'Unworkers'—not even a
proper word, I know, except in my mind it is, and it stuck because it was my
working title for so many years. It's
meaning is explained in the second chapter.
My latest novel is 'The Nightclub'—and guess what—it's actually about a
nightclub, no confusion there, but is it interesting?
I would love to hear what titles intrigued
readers to 'look inside' or pick a specific book off the shelf; and I'd equally
like to know how other authors decide on their winning titles.
The
Nightclub Blurb:
Trying to make a living for her teenage
sister and herself, naïve Laura Hamilton accepts a job offer as a hostess at an
infamous nightclub. As she struggles to survive in a world of sex, drugs and
corruption, she certainly doesn't expect to find her own knight in shining
armour in the club's owner, Julian. But will he really save her from a future
as a fallen woman? And is he involved in the criminal organisation that
threatens not only her sister's life, but will change her own fate forever?
Excerpt:
"Later, maybe," Julian said, turning to a different
monitor and scanning the row of girls seated on a gold-coloured banquette. "Just look at those girls. What kind of a life is it for them? They look hungry."
"They'll get fed, don't you worry," Mel said, deliberately
misunderstanding. "Most of them
have regulars, and they all thrive on uncertainty. It keeps them in their place, docile,
charming—better than Viagra."
Julian watched as a dark, slightly-built waiter with a camp walk
paraded in front of the row of women before pausing in front of one of
them. He beckoned with his finger and
she rose obediently, following the waiter around the perimeter of the room. Julian peered at the screen. "Who is she?"
Mel glanced at the bank of monitors.
"I forget her name; someone Petra brought in for a trial. I doubt she'll cut it though, too prim and
proper. I'll get rid of her at the end
of the week. Mind you, some of the
punters seem to like her. Old Ken
Featherstone's been in three times this week asking for her."
Julian continued to watch, frowning in concentration, as the waiter
led the woman to the restaurant area and presented her to a table of what
appeared to be semi-drunk businessmen.
Two other hostesses were already at the table, sipping champagne. He liked the calm, dignified way she walked,
not like a model on a catwalk compelling all eyes to look at her, but like
someone careful not to encroach on another person's space. She appeared shy, but determined and that
struck a chord with him. He could see
why Mel wasn't impressed. She was the
sort of girl Guy would have liked.
He watched the other hostesses eyeing the
new girl with barely-concealed hostility.
They looked hard-faced in comparison, mean and hungry, evidently
resenting the younger, prettier woman.
For further details and excerpts of
Lynette's titles, readers can go to the author's WEBSITE
Or to purchase The Nightclub at AMAZON
Author
Bio:
A former teacher, Lynette gave up her
career in education a few years ago in order to focus on her writing and thus
fulfil her childhood dream. She writes
contemporary women's fiction, often involving romance with suspense or a
supernatural twist. She claims 'Killing
Jenna Crane', a romantic thriller and 'Unworkers' a modern ghost story/women's
fiction are her personal favourites to date.
Her latest release 'The Nightclub' is a romance packed with
suspense.
Lynette currently lives in an early
Victorian cottage in a picturesque Surrey village. When she's not reading or writing, she enjoys
catching up with friends, the theatre and cinema and occasionally trying to
tame her out-of-control garden and the
Lynette's Blog
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